The Philadelphia Eagles enter the 2024 campaign once again as the prohibitive favorites to win the NFC East. Like it or not, there is no roster better constructed to win right now than the one Howie Roseman built. That’s a fact.
But championships aren’t won on paper, and certainly not in July. The Eagles have a lot to prove after an embarrassingly lackadaisical swoon stultified their Super Bowl aspirations last year. It sounds as if the players, and the coaching staff, learned a tough lesson although a new season brings new challenges. The rest of the NFC East returns improved rosters, poised and ready to crush their entitled beaks.
Previewing the NFC East: New Challengers, Old Standards
Dallas Cowboys
It’s always them. They are the mustard in the cheesesteak. While the reigning NFC East champions lost more than they gained in the offseason — namely rambunctious defensive coordinator Dan Quinn — it’s hard to argue they don’t have the best shot at winning the division. Everything starts and ends with quarterback Dak Prescott who threw for a league-high 36 touchdowns in 2023 while ranking No. 2 in passer rating (105.9) and completion percentage (69.5%). He’ll be throwing to Pro Bowler CeeDee Lamb, savvy veteran Brandin Cooks, and third-year man Jalen Tolbert, with the two-headed tandem of Jake Ferguson and Luke Schoonmaker at tight end. Oh, and Ezekiel Elliott is back after Tony Pollard went to Tennessee … consider that a net-gain for the Eagles.
Make no mistake: Dallas’ identity remains on the defensive side where Micah Parsons (14 sacks) rules the rodeo. He’s the best player on the field at all times, arguably the most disruptive force in football. Parsons sets the pace alongside aging veteran DeMarcus Lawrence (4 sacks) and 2023 first-round pick Mazi Smith, under new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who tediously picks and chooses his spots when it comes to blitzing. Remember, this is a Cowboys’ defense trying to fill the voids left by Dorance Armstrong (7.5 sacks) and Dante Fowler Jr. (4 sacks).
Analysis: Jerry Jones initially claimed Dallas was “all in” ahead of free agency, then changed his tune saying: “get it done with less.” It was an interesting about-face for one of the most aggressive owners in sports. He is trusting the offense has enough firepower to manage close games, riding the carapace of Micah Parsons and the arm of Dak Prescott. It’s a huge gamble but never count out a Mike McCarthy offense, at least until the playoffs.
Key additions: RB Ezekiel Elliott, LB Eric Kendricks, RB Royce Freeman, T Tyler Guyton (rookie), DE Marshawn Kneeland (rookie)
Key losses: DE Dorance Armstrong, DE Dante Fowler Jr., RB Tony Pollard, LT Tyron Smith, C Tyler Biadasz, DT Johnathan Hankins, WR Michael Gallup
Washington Commanders
It’s a bold move to come out and proclaim the Commanders as a team to watch. The franchise never seems to deliver on expectations. However, there is a different feeling in the D.C. air after Sixers owner Josh Harris bought the club. Washington invested the No. 2 overall pick in Jayden Daniels, a dual-threat quarterback at LSU who won the Heisman Trophy in 2023 after throwing for 3,812 yards and 40 scores. He also rushed for another 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’ll be surrounded by enviable talent at the skill positions: RB Austin Ekeler, WR Terry McLaurin, WR Jahan Dotson, former Eagles’ great TE Zach Ertz, and third-round pick Luke McCaffrey — the brother of Christian and a big 6-foot-2, 198-pound target in the slot. This offense could be humming assuming Daniels is the real deal.
Defensively, there is a lot to like. The Commanders poached the Cowboys’ pantry in the offseason, adding Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr. to pair alongside Pro Bowlers Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen on a loaded front four. The team also fortified the middle by signing veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner and safety Jeremy Chinn. Get this? They’ll be guided by none other than the aforementioned Dan Quinn who bolted Dallas for Washington. Watch out!
Analysis: This reporter remains ever skeptical about trusting anything coming out of Washington (note: I lived there at one point). Interpret that how you will. Jokes aside, it would be naive to look at the Commanders’ roster and not get goosebumps. The offense has the potential to be explosive and balanced, oozing with talent that keeps defensive coordinators up at night. Meanwhile, the defense added 21.5 sacks to a unit that registered 39 last season. Washington looks like the second-best team in the NFC East after the Eagles.
Key additions: QB Jayden Daniels (rookie), WR Luke McCaffrey (rookie), DE Dante Fowler Jr, DE Dorance Armstrong, LB Bobby Wagner, S Jeremy Chinn, OG Nick Allegritti, C Tyler Biadasz, RB Austin Ekeler, TE Zach Ertz, LB Frankie Luvu, K Brandon McManus.
Key losses: CB Kendall Fuller, S Kamren Curl, LB Cody Barton, RB Antonio Gibson, WR Curtis Samuel.
New York Giants
“We got your best player.” Nick Sirianni said what everyone Eagles fan was thinking. It doesn’t get much better than that. The Giants went the cheap rout in free agency — besides the blockbuster trade for two-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns and his 46 career sacks — and didn’t try to hide what they were doing in public comments aired on HBO’s “Hard Knocks.” They willingly let star rusher Saquon Barkley walk to the Eagles in favor of Devin Singletary. That lone decision could prove a genius stroke, especially when considering Singletary (898 yards on 216 carries in 2023) will now be running behind an improved Giants’ offensive line fueled by newcomers Jon Runyan Jr. and Jermaine Eluemunor. Then again, everything they did in free agency depends on the wonky arm of Daniel Jones.
Analysis: Yes, the loss of Saquon Barkley — the unquestioned spark-plug of the Giants’ offense — will hurt in the rushing and passing game. There is no sugar-coating it. However, it’s hard to hate the front office’s approach in allocating funds to more important areas of need. The Giants should be better than the 6-11 record they posted in 2023.
Key additions: DE Brian Burns, RB Devin Singletary, G Jon Runyan Jr., OT Jermaine Eluemunor, QB Drew Lock, S Jalen Mills, DT Jordan Phillips, WR Isaiah McKenzie, WR Malik Nabors (rookie).
Key losses: RB Saquon Barkley, G Wyatt Davis, WR Sterling Shepard, S Xavier McKinney, WR Parris Campbell.
Which NFC East team is the biggest threat to the Eagles?
AP Photo/Chris Szagola
